Rev. Lisa Hickman's Sermon for Jane M. Kaminske-Thanks for sending for Jane's other love-her blog!!

Today I want to think about Jane’s FIRST lecture.

While she loved the college atmosphere and her colleagues at Westminster, Jane didn’t have the opportunity to teach until we all gathered by her side in these years of her illness. We’ve wanted to take her class.

And Oh, the lessons we’ve learned…

The first lesson was the hardest, and I can’t really say it from the pulpit, perhaps you saw it crossstiched in her living room, or a photo on her blog – the best way I can say it here is that CANCER STINKS.

Jane didn’t dwell on this lesson, but recognizing the reality of the illness before her and its dire effects were foundational for taking the next step.

For Jane, one of the next steps involved a blog – making public her struggle – but even more so, finding community for her grief.

We all logged in to this digital classroom – where each day we learned something of resilience and grace, longing and laughter.

The lessons often involved Tim – I have such a great kid – Jane would say…
Or Barry…he takes such pride in taking care of me, I can’t believe I’m married to a man like this…

Many of the lessons involved walks through the halls of hospitals, office visits, that learning that takes place in circumstances we would never choose.

CANCER STINKS.

I hope one of our high school kids here offering support for Tim – will pursue a path of research that makes progress in this area of science and medicine. Go into the lab, meet patients, go to med school, become a nurse practitioner – and find a cure, bring some comfort to this disease which is one of life’s toughest lessons.

The learning didn’t stop there…

The next word Jane would write on her chalkboard of life would be FORWARD…

I understand this word made its way into the musical notes – thanks and congrats from the parents at the end of the guide –

For Jane, FORWARD, meant that life brings obstacles – CANCER STINKS, is the first. But for Jane, each obstacle was addressed with the simple prayer FORWARD. This word would slip its way into conversations with friends, comments on the blog, and encouragement to Tim and Barry as they fought this battle together.

It’s a word I’ll take with me.

With that word girding her up, Jane was ready for the next point in her lecture to all of us:

NO REGRETS.

Jane did absolutely everything she wanted to do.
She made lists and she completed them.
She made chocolate chip cookies with Maureen.
She planted gardens with Patty.

Can you live your life without regret was the challenge she placed before us…

And why is that so hard for us to do? We retreat into shame, or guilt, or fear, or depression – succumbing to circumstance instead of rising to the occasion.

NO REGRETS doesn’t mean live life without regard or respect for others, but it meant for her to be in conversation with God about your hopes for this life – because life is short and every minute is precious.

Some of Jane’s lectures were ONE WORD – wouldn’t that make a great class period? She would put the word up on the board – and then encourage us to go LIVE WITH THIS WORD –

So words like

Strength
Courage
Generosity
Gratitude
Community
Laughter

Werent’ talked about, they were experienced.

Jane would call from a shopping trip and say, “I am having the best day. I’m with Tim. I just ate a stromboli. What a great day to be alive. I’m having a GREAT day.”

If only all of us could live with such delight.

We could go on for hours about her laughter –

Her nicknames for others…
The laughter that trickled out over the phone and onto the blog –
For the brain surgeon, who had great DIMPLES, but Jane in her confusion post brain surgery came up with another creative body part to compliment him on…

We LAUGHED.

These words we have learned – and the family would echo their appreciation for how these words take particular shape here in this community –

GENEROSITY
GRATITUDE
COMMUNITY.

Jane, we have learned so much from you.
I am rooting for an honorary degree for you from this institution across the street that you so loved.

Jane VALUED education.

You hoped for nothing more than to get Timmy into a great college – and you did.
Tim, you will learn amazing things in your coursework – you already have – philosophy classes last summer, Ayn Rand for your senior project now –

But you will learn nothing as profound as what you have learned from your mother.


But what we loved learning from Jane is that life is bigger than a classroom. The last thing Jane said to me is when you lose hope, go watch the flowers grow.

Nature was just as much Jane’s classroom –

And with the love of the garden she had –

Close by passing out some simple seeds –

That these lessons would take root in your heart and life and GROW.

This is really Paul’s prayer from Ephesians – that we would become rooted and grounded in love –


Close in prayer…